Dean and Bruce are defending a beautiful woman who has been accused of murdering her wealthy boyfriend and there's hearsay that she had previously murdered her husband. During their investigation for her trial they'll find a drug ring and that the police did not make a full investigation before pointing her as the main suspect. But did she do it? They do not believe it and will do their best at court. Dean is also always questioning himself if they'll move back to Chicago and is torn between the choice of seeing his wife extremely happy or his career moves being entertained.
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. It is book 2 in the Dean Lincoln series but can be read as a stand alone.

The story follows a high powered, big city Lawyer who returned to his hometown, Beaufort in South Carolina to defend a young beautiful woman Haley Finch, accused of killing her much older and very wealthy boyfriend.

Stormy small town gossip and secrets + High stakes murder trial = The kind of Legal Thriller I love!

What I love:

📌 The courtroom scenes were sharp, engaging and realistic.

📌 Dean Lincoln is a likable, smart protagonist. I love his relationship with his wife and family

What I did not like:

📌 The legal explanations of some legal concepts were a bit tedious and distracting but that's the Lawyer in me talking. Readers who are less familiar with these legal procedures may find it helpful in understanding the trial process.

The twist? I saw it coming 😁 and I was still surprised because I was hoping i would be wrong.

The ending? Perfecto!! 👌🏿👌🏿

If you like Legal Thrillers, you are a fan of John Grisham, you will enjoy this book. A 7.5/10 for me.

Looking forward to reading other books in this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Another Great Legal Thriller!

Fatal Verdict is the second book in Peter O’Mahoney’s Dean Lincoln Legal Series, and I’ve got to say — I liked this one even better than the first!

In this story, Dean and his boss Bruce are back in the courtroom, this time defending Haley Finch, a woman accused of murdering her husband after he mysteriously disappears. To make things more complicated, there’s talk about her ex also going missing — though she insists that situation was resolved and he’s very much alive. Dean and Bruce have to dig deep into the gritty details to uncover the truth and try to prevent a guilty verdict.

I really enjoyed both reading and listening to this one via the audiobook. The pacing was solid, and the courtroom scenes were compelling without being over-the-top. Bruce, who came off a bit pushy in the first book (especially with all those plea deals), seemed a lot more level-headed this time around — a change I appreciated. It also felt like Dean got a little more well-rounded here, with glimpses into his family life and a bit more personal depth.

The audiobook narration was excellent — smooth tone and good flow that made the story easy to follow and kept me hooked.

Overall, this was a strong follow-up in the series, and I’m really hoping there’s a third book on the way. If you're into legal thrillers with smart twists and strong characters, definitely give this one a try.

Five stars again for Peter O’Mahoney!

Intrigue and suspense…realistic characters…red herrings…murder and mayhem…chaos…the recipe for a mystery that is not easily solved. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank you to Peter O'Mahoney, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and all opinions are mine.

Fatal Verdict was an interesting story about defense lawyers Dean & Bruce and their challenges in defending Haley Finch. With a large cast of characters with intriguing personalities it kept the story entertaining. First book of the author's I've read I will be reading more I am sure.

Defence Lawyer Dean Lincoln remains in Beaufort with new cases. His main focus in Fatal Verdict is defending a woman, Haley Finch, accused of murdering her older boyfriend who had won the lottery. He’d updated his will just days before he was murdered. That’s not all, her older husband that she’s separated from has not been seen for two years. Although Haley says she’s been in contact with him since, people are talking about what they think has happened to him.

I found the story easy to follow. Peter O’Mahoney did a really good job with this, this book is a good continuation from ‘Reckoning Hour’. I was not expecting the ending, I thought I had it all figured out towards the end, my jaw dropped. I recommend reading Fatal Verdict if you’re into courtroom dramas, and if you want to learn more about the process of cases then this series is for you.

Thank you to Peter O’Mahoney, #Thomas&Mercer and @netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

Fatal Verdict, the second installment in Peter O’Mahoney’s Dean Lincoln legal mystery series, brings readers back to the humid, hurricane-threatened Lowcountry of South Carolina, where charm and secrets often walk hand in hand. This time, Lincoln is defending Haley Finch, a young woman accused of murdering her wealthy older boyfriend just after he changed his will in her favor. With a storm on the horizon—both literal and figurative—Lincoln must dig deep to uncover the truth.

O’Mahoney does a fine job capturing the atmosphere of the South, and Dean Lincoln remains a compelling, grounded lead. The story builds on the familiar strengths of the first book: solid legal maneuvering, believable characters, and a healthy skepticism of power and influence in small towns. The main case is engaging, with enough twists to hold interest, even if seasoned mystery readers may see some of them coming.

Where the book falters a bit is in its predictability and a side plot involving an unpaid landscaping bill, which feels disconnected and underdeveloped. It doesn’t add much tension or insight to the main narrative and ultimately comes across as filler.

Still, despite its formulaic turns and occasional narrative bloat, Fatal Verdict is enjoyable. It delivers the kind of dependable legal drama that fans of the genre will appreciate—especially those drawn to Southern settings and courtroom intrigue. Not groundbreaking, but worth the read.

Fatal Verdict by Peter O'Mahoney is the second book in the new Dean Lincoln Legal series and this book was excellent just like his first. It was fast paced and full of brilliant twists and turns that will have you turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Dean Lincoln who is a big-city lawyer is still living in Beaufort in South Carolina with his wife Emma, But there is unrest amongst the residents as Dean finds himself defending Haley Finch, who is a beautiful young woman who is accused of murdering her boyfriend.

But, what is her supposed motive?

Well, he had just won big on the lottery, and then he changed his will in her favour.. . . . Now, Haley’s estranged husband has suspiciously gone missing for the past two years and their marital funds dwindling fast,. . . .

So, this is an Excellent motive

However, Dean knows nothing is ever quite as it seems down here, and once again finds himself scratching beneath the cracked veneer of the famous Southern charm. In Beaufort, with money and big influence all too often outweigh justice,

Now, if Lincoln is going to dig right down to the truth, he’ll have to risk everything he loves…. . . . and is his life and his wives life safe?

I highly recommend this series. Another 5 ⭐️ read

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance reader copy.

Unfortunately, I read this book before the first one. I am now reading the first in the series! However, it did not spoil my enjoyment. I enjoyed this book. and it kept me guessing to the end.

FATAL VERDICT - An entertaining read with interesting story lines and characters set to a good pace. The last couple of chapters were quick but the points were made. I like the writer's writing style. Source: Netgalley. 5*

Fatal Verdict is book two in the Dean Lincoln Legal Thriller series by Peter O'Mahoney.
This story is filled with mystery, adventure and intriguing characters. There are twists that I never saw coming and the ending was a real surprise. The story pulled me in from the beginning and I couldn’t stop until I finished.
His vivid descriptions and attention to detail kept me reading into the wee hours of the night!
The story line kept my attention & kept me on my toes with so many twists and turns! His storyline easily read, his narrative professionally written & his chapters flowed smoothly!!
I do love a good legal thriller and Peter O’Mahoney certainly delivers!!

Really enjoyed this quick little read.
It is apparently a series, I’ve never read any of the others and was able to read and enjoy this one without feeling like I was missing anything along the way.
The characters were great. And the little town gossip and how everyone knows everyone and everything was entertaining.
While I did enjoy this book it was pretty predictable. I was able to figure out “who done it” from the get go.

Would still recommend
Thank you NetGalley for the copy

Fatal Verdict by Peter O’Mahoney is a tightly woven legal thriller that effortlessly blends small-town suspense with courtroom drama. When a murder rocks a quiet community, all eyes fall on a single suspect—a woman desperate to clear her name. Her only hope lies with Dean, a high-powered city lawyer who finds himself far from his comfort zone and in the middle of a case that’s more complicated than it first appears.

O’Mahoney crafts a layered narrative, balancing the central murder trial with a compelling side case that adds depth and urgency to Dean’s journey. The pacing is sharp, the stakes steadily rising as secrets unravel and motives are questioned. Dean is a strong, well-drawn protagonist—reluctantly pulled into a mess that demands both his legal skills and his instincts for uncovering the truth.

What sets this novel apart is its ability to maintain suspense on multiple fronts. The story builds with careful precision, leading to several satisfying twists that keep readers guessing. With crisp writing, smart plotting, and a strong emotional core, Fatal Verdict delivers a gripping and satisfying read from start to finish.

Book #2 of Dean Lincoln Legal Thriller series. The first book in the series had a great story line so I was excited to read the second book......it's better than the first one!

The plotline might not be original but the treatment by Peter O'Mahoney kept me reading with a few breaks for necessities. When a lottery winner dies 5 days after getting the money....the suspects are many, the clues are few. These characters kept the story rolling quickly as defense lawyer Dean Lincoln tries to work magic and prove his client innocent.

Fatal Verdict is another solid legal thriller by Peter O’Mahoney. Dean Lincoln is back in Beaufort, South Carolina, taking on a new case with his partner Bruce. This time, they’re defending Haley Finch, a woman accused of killing her wealthy boyfriend. With suspicious past connections, missing persons, and small town gossip, the case is full of twists.
I liked how the story blended courtroom drama with mystery. The legal side felt realistic, and the Southern setting gave it a unique atmosphere. Dean is a smart and steady character, and I enjoyed seeing how he put the pieces together. There’s also a second storyline that added even more depth and tension to the book.
While I wish we had more personal development for Dean, the case itself kept me turning the pages. The ending was surprising and satisfying. If you like legal thrillers with strong characters and twists, this one’s worth reading!
Looking forward to read the next book in this series.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

This legal thriller is filled with suspense, secrets, danger, and an interesting mix of characters. Dean's biggest case centers on the defense of a beautiful woman who is accused of murdering her boyfriend. The story follows the preparations for the trial and how the trial progresses. However, the more Dean digs into what may have happened to Sammy, the more danger he encounters. It was good to see some of the side characters get their justice.

This sequel was just as good as the first. Dean Lincoln is still in Beaufort, SC working as a defense attorney on a new case. Yet again, the prosecution’s evidence is circunstancial, and it’s up to Dean and Bruce to prove reasonable doubt for their new client. Yet again a seemingly unrelated case helps the two defense attorneys put the pieces together to give their best defense. And yet again, O’Mahoney leaves us with a satisfyingly shocking twist ending. I can’t wait to read more cases featuring Dean Lincoln!

Having read all the Joe Hennessey series (Southern Lawyer), I was anxious to read the newest Dean Lincoln entry. I really enjoyed the first of this series, Reckoning Hour, and this one was good but perhaps not quite as good. I do like the way O'Mahoney writes- smooth, entertaining when it needs to be, and thrilling in the courtroom scenes.

This book centers around Dean's defense of a young widow accused of killing her husband for his money. I will admit I was really surprised by the ending and that was good, but the alternate suspects were just a bit too stereotypical. I'm glad Dean's partner has gotten over wanting to settle every case (no pushback on that this time around), but all the gluey Southerness is just a bit too much for me. The descriptions of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the feeling of the humidity,etc. got kind of wearing, but the racism found in the earlier book was very much cut back. Which is nice, but not reality in that part of the world.

Still, I really recommend this series if you like courtroom drama and a good whodunit. I was saddened by the lack of appearance by the Great Seal of South Carolina and hope the author hasn't remove her from the justice system!

Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story has Dean Lincoln returning from Chicago to Beaufort working in Bruce Hawthorne's office. Dean and Bruce have been hired as defense attorneys for Haley Fitch who has been accused of murdering Sammy Turner, her boyfriend. Haley had initially reported Sammy as missing and 5 weeks later, his body was discovered. The arrest was premised on Haley being the last person to see Sammy as well as the fact that the murder weapon she acknowledged as coming from her home. In addition, Haley was also being pestered by her husband's folks since no one had heard from for the last two years.

Read along and learn what steps Dean and Bruce took as they prepared their case. Follow the trial and see how both sides presented in order to get a verdict. Learn what issue Dean had to handle in addition to trial preparation.

The ending will provide all the answers. This is a story well worth reading, don't miss out!

A solid follow up to Reckoning Hour. Dean Lincoln is dealing with two cases. In one, he is faced with defending a woman who the town is convinced has killed two men. One, her ex-husband, is still ‘missing’, while she is tried for the murder of the other. With a drug-addicted brother -in -law addicted others in town bent on keeping their drug trade thriving, who really is responsible for her partner’s death? In the other case, he has to work hard to keep his client from meting his own justice.

Steeped in Southern atmosphere and tradition, this legal thriller is a fast paced, fun read. The courtroom drama is great and perfect for a TV mini series. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read in exchange for an honest review.